1. The Bahamas GEF Country Support Programme By Ms. Rochelle Newbold BEST Commission 11 October 2007

2. Bahamas GEF Coordination Unit The BEST Commission serves as the Operational Focal Point for the GEF in the Bahamas. The BEST Commission serves as the Operational Focal Point for the GEF in the Bahamas. Coordination Unit formed within BEST utilizing technical officers responsible for managing and implementing GEF supported Projects Coordination Unit formed within BEST utilizing technical officers responsible for managing and implementing GEF supported Projects Operational Focal Point heads the Coordination Unit in the person of Dr. Donald Cooper Operational Focal Point heads the Coordination Unit in the person of Dr. Donald Cooper

3. Workshop on GEF Policies and Procedures Initial 1 day workshop held on 7 th November 2006 included some 20 stakeholders from both the public and private sector Initial 1 day workshop held on 7 th November 2006 included some 20 stakeholders from both the public and private sector Topics covered included Topics covered included –Introduction to the GEF –GEF Project Pipelines –The Resource Allocation Framework –GEF in The Bahamas Workshop was very effective and feedback was positive from all stakeholders in attendance Workshop was very effective and feedback was positive from all stakeholders in attendance

4. Bahamas GEF Stakeholders Ministry responsible for the Environment Ministry responsible for the Environment Ministry of Finance Ministry of Finance Ministry of Works and Transport Ministry of Works and Transport Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Bahamas National GIS Centre Bahamas National GIS Centre Bahamas Information Services Bahamas Information Services Data Processing Unit Data Processing Unit Ministry of Health and Social Development Ministry of Health and Social Development Government Corporations for Utilities and Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corp. Government Corporations for Utilities and Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corp. Non Government Organizations including TNC, BNT, BREEF, ANCAT, FOE, College of the Bahamas Non Government Organizations including TNC, BNT, BREEF, ANCAT, FOE, College of the Bahamas National Committees on Wetlands, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Science & Technology National Committees on Wetlands, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Science & Technology

5. National Information Packages Information packages compiled at the National Coordinating Unit was supplied to stakeholders at the initial workshop Information packages compiled at the National Coordinating Unit was supplied to stakeholders at the initial workshop Additional packages have been made available at the NCU (offices of the BEST Commission) for the general public Additional packages have been made available at the NCU (offices of the BEST Commission) for the general public Package includes background information on GEF and its activities in supporting projects under the 5 key focal areas Package includes background information on GEF and its activities in supporting projects under the 5 key focal areas

6. The GEF Information Database Creation of this has been initiated through the provision of a GEF in the Bahamas Webpage at the National Coordination Unit Website Creation of this has been initiated through the provision of a GEF in the Bahamas Webpage at the National Coordination Unit Website –www.best.bs/bahamas_gef.html This site will keep track of information on the GEF and its projects and activities within The Bahamas This site will keep track of information on the GEF and its projects and activities within The Bahamas

8. CSP Knowledge Facility Bahamas country page The Bahamas has launched its GEF CSP website country page: http://www.gefcountrysupport.org/country.cfm? countryId=25 The Bahamas has launched its GEF CSP website country page: http://www.gefcountrysupport.org/country.cfm? countryId=25 http://www.gefcountrysupport.org/country.cfm? countryId=25 http://www.gefcountrysupport.org/country.cfm? countryId=25 Information made available on National Focal Points, Projects supported by the GEF, In- country activities, National Reports, etc. Information made available on National Focal Points, Projects supported by the GEF, In- country activities, National Reports, etc. Bahamas country page updated by the NCU Bahamas country page updated by the NCU

10. Linking GEF Activities with Development and Policy Strategy Second stakeholder workshop held in April 2007 Second stakeholder workshop held in April 2007 Stakeholders provided presentation on internal policies of organizations which could then be linked to GEF Operational Strategies for implementation in country Stakeholders provided presentation on internal policies of organizations which could then be linked to GEF Operational Strategies for implementation in country BAIC, Department of Agriculture, TNC, BEST Commission, BNT all provided input BAIC, Department of Agriculture, TNC, BEST Commission, BNT all provided input

11. Finalizing Component 1 Meetings to foster in country coordination planned for 4 th Quarter 2007 with all stakeholders Meetings to foster in country coordination planned for 4 th Quarter 2007 with all stakeholders NCU will make visits to stakeholder to fulfill a request made at second workshop on policies and strategies NCU will make visits to stakeholder to fulfill a request made at second workshop on policies and strategies Creation of a reference library of GEF information & publications to be hosted at the NCU Creation of a reference library of GEF information & publications to be hosted at the NCU

12. Lessons Learnt Component 1 Ensure involvement of broad spectrum of stakeholders from beginning Ensure involvement of broad spectrum of stakeholders from beginning Where possible stakeholders recommend that NCU make call on institutions to make presentations Where possible stakeholders recommend that NCU make call on institutions to make presentations Ensure availability of hard copy of materials as not all persons have internet access Ensure availability of hard copy of materials as not all persons have internet access Getting information out through the media assisted greatly Getting information out through the media assisted greatly

13. Next Steps Implementing Component 2 during 2007- 2008 Implementing Component 2 during 2007- 2008 Maintaining GEF project databases on projects and activities at the national and regional levels Maintaining GEF project databases on projects and activities at the national and regional levels

14. Thank You Email: bestnbs@hotmail.com bestnbs@hotmail.com For further information